Today I’m launching a new, regular feature on this blog – The Drama Queen Files. As a writer, I think it’s important to pay attention to the language and the imagery being used in the climate debate.
I think it’s useful, as well, to ask questions such as:
- Is this calm, cool, and collected argument – or rah-rah, emotional manipulation?
- Who is the intended audience?
- How does this differ from propaganda?
DIRECT QUOTES FROM GREENPEACE:
- the stakes could not be higher.
- a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
- perilously dependent.
- The climate – and Britain – needs you.
from: The Battle for Britain has begun, Greenpeace UK web site, February 2013. Backed up here.
The BBC tells us that
The Battle of Britain was the German air force’s attempt to gain air superiority over the RAF from July to September 1940. Their ultimate failure was one of the turning points of World War Two and prevented Germany from invading Britain.
The British Royal Air Force describes it as “a battle for national survival” on which hinged the fate of the UK, the freedom of other European nations, and the outcome of the Second World War.
According to the drama queens at Greenpeace, this moment in history is equally decisive and historic. Except that there’s no chance whatsoever of Nazis overrunning British soil, rolling tanks through the streets, or taking over the government.
